The 22-year-old student, who had moved from Ireland to Wolverhampton to be closer to his beloved club, was killed after being hit by a car

Tributes: Jody O'Reilly was killed before Villa's game with Man United

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Friends of an Aston Villa fanatic killed in a road smash have called on the club to pay silent tribute to the superfan at its Boxing Day fixture.

Student Jody O’Reilly was hit by a car just hours before he was due to see his beloved Villa play Manchester United last Sunday. Originally from Ireland, the 22-year-old enrolled at Wolverhampton University in 2010 - just to be closer to the club.

And days before his death, Jody spoke on Talksport Radio to pundit, and former Villa star, Stan Collymore.

Jody discussed his team and said how much he was looking forward to Christmas.

But his life was cut short in the early hours of December 15 when he was hit by a car on Broad Street. Despite the efforts of medics, he died at Birmingham’s City Hospital

Last night friends dubbed the popular sport and exercise science student “one in a billion” and urged Villa to stage a minute’s silence.

Best mate Ritchie Cartwright Ball has launched an on-line campaign to honour his friend at the game with Crystal Palace on Thursday.

He said: “Jody was always at the forefront of everything that went on, he was one in a billion. He was the life and soul of the party.

“Jody was everyone’s friend. You wouldn’t meet anybody who didn’t know him and like him.

“There were people at the uni who came from India and had never been in the country before. Jody helped them to learn English and interact.

“He changed the lives of so many people.”

Over 10,000 have backed the Facebook campaign since it was launched on Friday.

And while strict Premier League rules make a minute’s silence unlikely, it is hoped some kind of tribute can be paid.

Villa players past and present, including Brad Guzan and Stiliyan Petrov, have retweeted the appeal on Twitter.

Ritchie said: “Jody was a Villa fan his whole life, his whole family are Irish Villa fans. That’s why he came to Wolverhampton so he could be close to Villa, that was his main motivation.”

The tribute page on Facebook, which includes a video from former Villa player Barry Bannan, has been inundated with calls for the club to honour Jody.

The defender, now at Crystal Palace, said: “This is to the family of Jody O’Reilly. I heard the sad news and to want to offer my commiserations for what’s happened and say my thoughts are with you.”

A meeting is set to take place today between campaigners and the club, while a tribute in the Boxing Day match programme has also been planned.

Ritchie added: “I’ve been blown away by the support, it’s so surreal. Jody would be in his element as the centre of attention.

“He’d be loving it.”

*A 21-year-old man was arrested by police on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving hours after Jody’s death.